Canoe Stories BWCA Quetico Wilderness

Canoe Stories from Woodland Caribou Provincial Park, Ontario

Information and Links

	Lost Portages of Irvine Lake by Martin Kehoe NEW! Stepping off the path, exploring new routes, traveling alone and seeing no one for weeks - this is the ultimate adventure for a lake canoe traveler. Martin Kehoe takes us on his 32 day trip to the interior of Woodland Caribou Park."The creek below this looked wide and open for travel so I worked back up the shoreline in search of a better option than all the dense trees. Pushing aside some Alder and Maple brush I found myself staring into a slot canyon in the high rock. Walking on in awe through the dark and cool passage led me to the spot from which I had retreated minutes earlier."
	A Canoe Trip to Indian House Lake in Woodland Caribou Park by Chad Gallow While paddling along the western shore of Hatchet, Tuch spotted an endangered Woodland Caribou. Oblivious to our presence, the caribou continued to forage while standing in the shallows along the western shore...
	Woodland-Caribou 7 Day Canoe Trip Journal by Al Bayne and Tim Gosselin Travel with Al on a trip from the Leano entry point to Paull Lake in the southern part of Woodland Caribou Park "The sky is blue, a light breeze is blowing, and we have a 4 km paddle before we encounter another portage – life is good."
	Moose Trip by Bob Grafton "After a few days in the bush, especially on the fifth or sixth trip of the season, the relaxation and absorption into the trail life can become so complete that the other life, in the city, fades. Wood, water, gear, trails: that’s life."
	Top to Bottom A solo trip in Ontario's Woodland Caribou Park by Martin Kehoe Travel with Martin through the Wanipigow, down to the fire cleared shores of Irregular Lake. Explore an old trail on the Royd - Murdock route and ride with the wind up to Musclow. After all this traveling, ending with the Artery - Ford portages, Martin pauses to map out the Siderock - Obukowin portages. If you're a canoe traveler, you'll want to read this great journal.
	Moment by Bob Grafton "The Stranger imagined himself crushed by his boat as they tumbled together down the chute. As his head went under, he looked up at the bottom of the boat. He could see the daylight through it."
	Manitoba's Obukowin Lake - Western Entry to Woodland Caribou Park by Jim Hegyi "Sometimes our path leads us closer and closer to fast water that shouts, then roars as it runs wild over the land, throwing spray into the air, seeming to shake the treetops with its power. Sunlight pours down from above, tumbling through the high branches and splashing on the forest floor."
	Portages from Siderock Lake to Obukowin Lake in Manitoba by Martin Kehoe Many of the portage trails used in the summer are actually trap-line trails. Trapper Jim Dickieson travels the route from Siderock to Obukowin and maintains some of the excellent paths that canoeists (sometimes) find and always appreciate. Martin contacted Jim and armed with Jim's advice, explored and mapped out the best route from Siderock to Obukowin. Maps, notes and GPS readings are included in Martin's excellent description of Jim's excellent trails. (PDF file, suitable for printing.) June, 2006 Marten: I just made the trip in and back out on the siderock/obukowin portage. It is extremely wet, you could pull your canoe behind you for large portions. Last years wind storms left that portion from Kidney to Obukowin in a huge tangle. We cut out the snowmobile trail for trapping but it needs more work. The new river stewards for that area are already looking to work on and improve that which was done last year. If you can get a message to potential travelers, let them know that the portage is extremely wet and muddy. Good luck this summer...drop in if you're around Wallace Lake. Jim (Dickieson)
	The Little North Travels of Bill and Bob by Bill Fulton "How about traveling from the north boundary to the south boundary of Woodland Caribou? Yes that would be it! We would travel in one of the most beautiful quadrants of the Little North in the Canadian Shield. North of the Bloodvein to south of the Bird."
	Flying in and Paddling Out by Grant Pastuck "Like a Freight Train it hit us. We got out in a blinding rain to put the fly on the tent, got back in and were hit by a hammer that flattened the tent. I was awed at how fragile our shelter was; our shelter that we took for granted as safe and secure. Flattened. I sat up against the wall to hold it up. The wind raged and the rain pummeled us. Things in camp blew around. Lightening hit a tree on our island but the forest couldn’t catch fire because it was raining so hard."
	What if the Plane Doesn't Find Us? by Grant Pastuck "...the Chief and I let the fire go out and stared into a completely moonless night sky full of stars. As our eyes got adjusted to the darkness, you could see the black areas in the sky where there were no stars. We spotted dozens of meteors shooting across the sky and then the Aurora Borealis started displaying their colour. All in all it was a spectacular sight... I'm glad we enjoyed the sky that night because it would be the last star we would see for the rest of the trip.
	Woodland Caribou via the Bird River by Grant Pastuck "I sat up late that night on a rock down near the river, with rapids on both sides, and looked and listened, for hours. Unworldly voices whispered in the mist, speaking of those who had passed this way before and those who may come later. I said a prayer and dropped some tobacco into the stream. 'May all who pass this way be well and happy, and may they be respectful, for they are on sacred ground.'"
	How it all began by Grant Pastuck "There are watershed events in life that change everything ever after. My first one was probably when I opened my business...that saved me from ever working for someone other than myself... The next one was when the Commander walked into my store on a slow day in the summer of 1980. That changed everything. I became a camper. That's how it all began."
	A Walk up the Wanipigow by Grant Pastuck "... We stopped on a gem of an island that had a fire pit with a three foot tree growing in the coal bed; that’s how long ago it had been used."
	Beached on Talon with Time to Burn by Bob Grafton "...as the evening closed in, they set the fire on the beach, moved a woodland bench over and sat watching the sunset and moonrise together... Talon was a sheet of glass... Just the fire, that long beach and long sunset, then the stars. Perfect."
	A Fly-In Canoe Trip to Royd Lake in Woodland Caribou Provincial Park by Martin Kehoe If you enjoy watching a bear foraging for food, enjoy hitting that great lake trout spot or enjoy watching a bull moose following a cow and calf on a small island, you'll really enjoy Martin's latest Woodland Caribou Park story. Martin's group of four flew to Royd Lake and fished through the fifteen portages to Murdock Lake. Come along now, then start thinking of your own trip to this great wilderness area.
	Vern Dewit's Adventure Diary by Vern Dewit Vern's diary takes you through the trail to Obukowin and into Atikaki Wilderness Park in northeastern Manitoba. Torrents of rain, rushing water and wild, windy crossings make this diary an exciting read. (off site link)
	A Garner Lake Enty into Woodland Caribou Provincial Park by Martin Kehoe Martin takes you to another western entry point to the park. By using the Garner Lake entry "You will be rewarded with little contact with other canoeists, fantastic fishing and the chance to travel remote backcountry and still have maintained portages. Do it once and it will be your destination of choice for great canoeing."
	A Canoe Trip Journal - September in Woodland Caribou Park by Mel Funk and Walt Price Mel and Walt take you to a great pickerel (walleye) lake in the south central part of the park. As they describe in their journal: "We had caught 14 walleye and 4 pike in our morning's fishing..." The best part is that they released almost all of the fish they caught. The fish are still out there! Join Mel and Walt in some fishing, a few portages and a liter of chowder at their campsite below the falls.
	Woodland Caribou Journal - The Wanipigow River by Martin Kehoe The Wanipigow River can take you from Wallace Lake in Manitoba to the Crystal Lake entry point of Woodland Caribou Park. This seldom-used part of the park offers traveling adventure, good campsites and some great views of the land. Martin's journal contains great information about a canoe trip through this great route.
	Woodland Caribou Journal - of a solo trip into Woodland Caribou Park by Martin Kehoe May can be a challenging time in Woodland Caribou Park. Martin traveled through hot, sunny days, woke up to sleet and snow, and crossed open lakes of numbing cold water. His canoe journal takes you to the interior of the northern half of Woodland Caribou Park - to lakes and streams not often seen. Martin's excellent canoe journal will take you to these lonely lands, to places perfect for those seeking adventure and solitude.
	Ontario's Chukuni River - Gateway to Woodland Caribou Park by Jim Hegyi North of Red Lake, the Chukuni River becomes narrow and shallow - perfect for canoeing! The "last stop" of the Chukuni leads you right to the doorstep of Woodland Caribou Park, another perfect canoeing destination. Open, mature forest, big lakes, solitude and great fishing greet the canoe traveler on this route.
	Woodland Caribou Park - A Different World for Canoe Travelers by Jim Hegyi Travel north from the boundary waters to Red Lake Ontario, and you'll find another wilderness park. Woodland Caribou Park is only six hours of scenic driving from the international border. The wilderness of woodland caribou is an exciting place, much like quetico was forty years ago. ...a loud guttural growl comes out of the woods and I freeze in my tracks!
	Woodland Caribou Provincial Park - Good Land for Canoe Travelers by Jim Hegyi The Leano Lake entry point is a favorite for canoeists entering woodland caribou provincial park. It's only the beginning - the portages and lakes stretch all the way to the Manitoba border. Slow, narrow channels change to wide and deep waters. Open mature forest changes to land scrubbed clean by fire. All of these places are waiting within Woodland Caribou Park. Pick up your paddle and discover a new place for canoe travelers, an unspoiled land of solitude and beauty.

Education:

Maps - Compass - GPS
How to make great maps
for your Woodland
Caribou Park
Canoe Trip

Canoe Packs
Backpacks designed for
canoeing and portaging

http://www.whitefeatherforest.com/
A Land-Based Community Economic Renewal Initiative of Pikangikum First Nation

http://www.pc.gc.ca/progs/spm-whs/itm3-/site11/page1_E.asp
Canada's Tentative List for World Heritage Sites
Atikaki/Woodland Caribou/Accord First Nations

Information:
Ontario Parks -
Woodland Caribou
Goldseekers Outfitting
Woodland Caribou
Outfitters
Atikaki Canoe Outfitters
Bow Narrows Lodge
The Bloodvein River
The Boreal Shield ecozone
SoloTripping.com

Inspiration:
Dave Hadfield's Songs
of Canada
Photographs from the Canoe Country lhrimages.com

Canoe Stories from the Superior National Forest - Boundary Waters Canoe Area

Information and Links

	Highlights of Eighteen Years in the BWCA by Dale Netherton "We got lost, we fought winds and waves... near froze one morning on Moose Lake and ran rapids, climbed Devil's Cascade, trekked to Johnson Falls, relived the steps of a ranger's recordings , visited pictographs and sat out many an evening by a smoldering camp fire... swapping memories and lies and pitying the poor souls that would never know what was to be experienced in this serene rugged land."
	North Country Sunrise by Patrick Doty Patrick Doty and his group of young men launch their canoes into the darkness of a wilderness night. The night travelers paddle and portage to one more day and a memory that will last all of their days. "I look down to my right and see the ripples from my paddle shake the reflection of the moon and what was left of the stars in the sky..."
	To Cry Wolf or not to cry wolf by Martin Kehoe From his remote cabin just south of the Ontario - Minnesota border, Martin writes of an encounter with a wolf pack. "When the big wolf stared at me I felt the game was up and I was waiting to see how he was going to alert the others."
	Table Rock An October canoe trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area by Pierre Girard "We are heading for the fabled "Table Rock," camping site of voyageurs - often mentioned in 18th century fur trade journels - with a history, even among whites, older than any edifice of man within hundreds of miles. A perfect camping spot - doubtless its significance among the Ojibwe, Sioux and Cree - goes back much further."
	Encounter on the Kawishiwi River a solo canoe trip into the Superior National Forest by Jim Hegyi A loon cries out, low and mournful. Far away, another joins the lament, farther still, another. You imagine the cry carried on and on, as the wilderness goes on and on...
	Big Water to no Water and Portages in Between A solo trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area by Chuck Ryan "I grabbed my other little flash light and tried looking in the direction of the noise but I couldn’t see anything. Now the crashing noises seem to be in slow motion as it just kept coming forward...."

Swanson BWCA Page

Superior-North Outfitters

Canoe Country

A Boundary Waters Blog

YMCA Camp Menogyn

Canoe Stories from Quetico Provincial Park - Boundary Waters Canoe Area

Information and Links

	A 9 Day Canoe Trip to White Otter Castle by Allan Bayne "This was my 20^th canoe trip to White Otter Castle. It is a great place because there is a lot to do and see. The routes in, offer a variety of the best of the Canadian Shield. Plus the scenery is spectacular, and the extended beaches are pristine, and you usually have them to yourself. The route we took this year is the same one I used when I taught Wilderness Leadership, and it is the same one I took my family on 8 years ago and featured in my book, 'Bugs, Sweat, and Fears'."
	Fenway, Burritos and Bears, Oh My by Chris Rudolph From Batchawaung to Cache Bay, join Chris and Mike as they paddle across Ontario's Quetico Park in just two and a half days. Chris takes you through the land, introduces you to the people they meet along the way and gives you the memories that make each trip to the wilderness better than the one before.
	Wind Bound on Cache Point a canoe trip adventure story by Jim Hegyi Lake Saganaga lies on the Eastern boundary of Quetico Park and the Superior National Forest of Minnesota. Crossing big Sag can be a pleasure, but sometimes, when the wind comes up... We don't know it, but the most memorable event of the trip is yet to come, a passage that will test our teamwork, strength, and nerve...
	Footsteps a canoe trip mystery story by Jim Hegyi There are odd things in the boundary waters canoe area, sights and sounds foreign and strange. "My hand reaches for the zipper. Something jumps right onto the screen and I flinch back!"
	Island of Green a canoe trip into quetico park after the bird lake fire by Jim Hegyi "The northern shore comes into view, and we suddenly realize how devastating the Bird Lake fire was. There's a feeling you get when winter is coming; an empty feeling as the green goes out of the land..."
	Wilderness Learning: Quetico Style by Harold Rutan The boundary waters have a way of drawing you back. Harold Rutan tells about his return after being away more than twenty years. His canoe trip takes him and his stepson from Clay lake in Northeast quetico to Basswood on the American side of the bwca. "As I opened my eyes in the morning...I recall being astonished when I thought of how we had gone from one of the most densely populated areas on the planet to being deep in the wilderness."
	Quetico Quotes by Brett Johnson with photos by Allan Hins An excellent canoe story about a canoe trip to Kawnipi Lake in quetico provincial park by Brett Johnson with photos by Allan Hins. Brett describes how eight people from his congregation found "Our special time together with nature in Quetico. Ours forever."
	A Dad and his Daughter by David McHone Taking a trip to the boundary waters with my daughter is special and I knew it, as soon as we began to prepare...

QueticoPark.com

Ontario Parks

Superior-North Outfitters

SoloTripping.com - Harlan Schwartz
This site is dedicated to those that buck the system and head out to the wilderness with only themselves and their skills to get them by. Browse through our trip logs, tips and tricks, equipment reviews and more. Don't forget to join our forums and help contribute to an amazing community of adventurers who love to explore the backcountry on their own!

Superior Trails - Wabakimi - Ross Reinhold
Superior trails is an online travel, hiking, camping, and canoeing guide for the Lake Superior area. Ross describes a canoe trip to Wabakimi Park that starts with a train stop in the middle of the Canadian wilderness.

Canoe Ontario - Harlan Schwartz
"At CanoeOntario.Net our goal is to provide a common place for all your Ontario canoeing needs. Whether you're looking for outfitters, education, canoe routes, general info, buy or sell or simply looking to chat, our goal is to be Ontario's canoeing authority! Grab your paddle and get set for the ultimate canoeing experience."

Vern Dewit's Adventure Site by Vern Dewit
Vern has some great trip diaries that put you right on the portage trail or right in the middle of a wild wilderness lake.

My Secret River - Canoe Trips and Campfire Tales, New Brunswick, Canada by Ken Corbett and friends
Join me, as we canoe the rivers of New Brunswick, Canada! We'll meet new friends and share trails down steep rapids and deep in green meadows. We'll gather round the campfire at day's end to swap tall tales.

Snow Falling on Black Spruce - A Northern Ontario Canoe Sojourn Down the Missinaibi by Parham Momtahan
"As I peeked out of the tent screen, I had to rub my waking eyes. This was not a dream: this was snow; we were here for a canoe trip; and it was July 1^st, 2001. We would be traveling the Missinaibi River flowing into the Moose River..."

Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Center
There are some good articles in "Northern Vignettes". The databases are also interesting, especially "place names" and the photo database. If you go to the photo database and type in "canoe", or "portage", you'll see some remarkable old photos.

Lessons from the Land
This excellent site documents the traditional canoe route from Great Slave to Great Bear - the Idaa trail. Some great local history here.

Camp Chippewa
Did you ever wonder what it's like to paddle through the cold fast rivers of northern Manitoba and Ontario? Click on the "Photo Albums and Trip Logs" link of the Camp Chippewa site to join them on the Seal River, the Little Churchill River and the Bloodvein River. Seals, artic grayling, whales and polar bear - all are possible and many are seen and described as each adventurer writes of his experience.

Erhard's Home Page
Erhard Kraus has a great site packed with information, links and trip logs from the Spanish, French, Temagami and Mattagami rivers. If you're looking for an alternative to the BWCA next summer, take a look at the canoe routes just northwest of Sault Ste Marie, Michigan. Be sure to visit the Dave Hadfield songs page and read some of the historical articles available on Erhard's site.

Kermit Adventures
Phillip Kenney and the frog cover a lot of territory - canoeing in Red Lake, Ontario, Algonquin Provincial Park, the Spanish River, the Potomac River, the Shenandoah... Or, if you prefer, join them on the Appalachian Trail in February. Visit Phillip's tips and tricks page and pick up a new idea to try on your next trip.

Dr. Dennis Rioux's Home Page
Excellent canoe stories of five trips to the BWCA / Quetico Wilderness. In Dr. Rioux's words: When I am not in the classroom and not tied to some vacuum chamber or other, I like to get out and do some paddling. My favorite destinations are the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and the Quetico Provincial Park. Here are the itineraries and some selected images from trips I have taken...

Shipp Webb's Web Site
Shipp has some great trip stories. Be sure to travel with Shipp "Up a Lazy River" in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and through the Kisaralik River in southwest Alaska. Read about his trip to Woodland Caribou Provincial Park. Besides giving you helpful information and resources, Shipp gives you plenty of reasons why it's great to take a wilderness canoe trip.

Kekekabic Trail Club
Information about the hiking through the Superior National Forest in the bwca.

Links of interest to canoe travelers:
Two Rivers Canoe and Kayak, Paris, Ontario
If you're interested in paddling the Grand River, just north of Lake Erie, visit Brian Gill's site and make your plans.

Merrimack Canoe Company
"The original wood-reinforced fiberglass hull was developed by my grandfather L.H. Beach more than 48 years ago. He grew up in Maine and moved to Merrimack, NH where he started the company..." - Randy Pew

Canoe Camp Fish
Free Information on Fishing From a Canoe, Canoe Camping, & Wilderness Camping